Show ContentsBlackewod History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In ancient Scotland, the first people to use Blackewod as a surname were the Strathclyde-Britons. It was a name someone who lived in Ayrshire, but interestingly, the name Blackewod may also be derived from the Old English words blaec, which means black, and wudu, which means wood, and indicates that the original bearer lived near a dark, wooded area.

Early Origins of the Blackewod family

The surname Blackewod was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

One of the first records of the family was of Robert Blakwode, a native of Scotland, who was discharged from prison in London as he was unjustly arrested in 1384. Later, Andrew Blackwud, was bailie of Perth in 1532 and Adam Blackwood was one of the Privy Council of Mary Queen of Scots. 1

Early History of the Blackewod family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blackewod research. Another 196 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1500, 1539, 1549, 1581, 1613, 1614, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Blackewod History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blackewod Spelling Variations

Before the printing press standardized spelling in the last few hundred years, no general rules existed in the English language. Spelling variations in Scottish names from the Middle Ages are common even within a single document. Blackewod has been spelled Blackwood, Blackwode, Blakewood, Blaikwood, Blackewood and many more.

Early Notables of the Blackewod family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Adam Blackwood (1539-1613), Scottish writer having descended from a family in good circumstances, and was born at Dunfermline in 1539. "His father, William Blackwood, was slain in battle before the son reached his tenth year, and his mother did not long survive the loss of her...
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Blackewod Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Blackewod family to Ireland

Some of the Blackewod family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Blackewod family

For Scottish immigrants, the great expense of travel to North America did not seem such a problem in those unstable times. Acres of land awaited them and many got the chance to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. These Scots and their ancestors went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Among them: the Blackwoods who settled in Swain's Island, Newfoundland, and moved to the mainland to Bona Vista Bay in the early 19th century; Ebenezer Blackwood settled in Bona Vista in 1826.



The Blackewod Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Per vias rectas
Motto Translation: By right ways.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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